Ghana Link launches major upgrade to shore up ICUMS
By: Isaac Boamah Darko
Ghana Link Network Services says work with ISPs, technical fixes will restore stability by end-Q3 2025
Accra — Ghana Link Network Services Ltd., operator of the country’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), has begun a major infrastructure upgrade after weeks of intermittent downtimes that disrupted customs clearance and raised concerns across the trade community.
In a statement issued this week, the company thanked importers, exporters, freight forwarders, shipping lines and other partners for their “unwavering commitment, patience and support” and said the outages have been treated as a top priority. “Working hand‑in‑hand with key stakeholders, our technical teams have identified the root causes of the challenges,” the statement read, adding that the upgrades are intended to expand system capacity and resilience to handle a sustained surge in data traffic.
Ghana Link said the work — being carried out around the clock — includes both internal platform enhancements and coordinated efforts with Internet Service Providers to strengthen the internet backbone that ICUMS relies on. The company expects the comprehensive improvements to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2025, after which it anticipates “a solid, stable and fast user experience with reliability, efficiency and transparency.”
ICUMS is the digital backbone for customs processing in Ghana, used by Ghana Revenue Authority officials, logistics companies and traders to lodge declarations, process permits and clear cargo. When the system experiences downtime, stakeholders say it can cause clearance delays, congestion at ports and border posts, and increased costs for importers and exporters through demurrage and longer lead times — concerns that have been voiced privately to both the operator and regulatory agencies in recent weeks.
Stakeholder response mixed but cautious
Representatives of trade groups welcomed the announcement but urged timely implementation and clearer interim arrangements while the upgrade is underway. “We appreciate the commitment to fixing these issues, but traders need predictable service now,” said one industry source who asked not to be named. Freight forwarders have pressed for temporary contingency procedures and improved communications to reduce disruption during peak cargo periods.
Ghana Link said it remains in close consultation with customs authorities and other partners to minimise disruption and to ensure that the upgraded platform meets the demands of growing trade volumes. The company reiterated its long‑term goal of providing a world‑class trade facilitation system that supports business growth and strengthens government revenue.
What to expect next
Until the upgrade is complete, users can expect periodic maintenance windows and potential performance fluctuations as fixes are rolled out. Ghana Link has advised stakeholders to maintain open lines with their service teams and to report persistent issues so they can be prioritised.
The announcement comes amid increasing digitalisation of trade processes across the region, where robust and resilient e‑customs platforms are seen as key to reducing clearance times, improving transparency and attracting investment. For Ghana, ensuring ICUMS stability will be central to keeping supply chains moving smoothly as the economy and trade volumes expand